Preview — Between Lions and Lambs
by N.T. McQueen

Between Lions and Lambs

Ezekiel Clemens is the worlds most notable evangelist. At his side is Gerald Lambough, who serves as janitor in hiding the sinful secrets of this righteous man. On the day of one of their largest televised meetings, the two encounter a mysterious stranger that rattles their teetering lives and sends them both on a journey of revelation and repentance where dark secrets areEzekiel Clemens is the worlds most notable evangelist. At his side is Gerald Lambough, who serves as janitor in hiding the sinful secrets of this righteous man. On the day of one of their largest televised meetings, the two encounter a mysterious stranger that rattles their teetering lives and sends them both on a journey of revelation and repentance where dark secrets are revealed, faith is tested, and lives are forever altered. Simple yet complex, Between Lions and Lambs is a compelling and provocative examination of the fallibility of man and the neccesity of truth, questioning religions purpose and those who use it. A story that speaks to both religious and irreligious with profound insight and veracity till the last page.Show More Show Less...more

Community Reviews

I feel very bad that there is no way to give fractional points, as my rating for Between Lions and Lambs is a actually a 4.3.

First, when I read the first book of any author, established or not, the first thing I look for is mastery of language, and McQueen has that in boatloads. There were more than many occasions when I either 1) paused at the depth and beauty of a sentence or 2) paused to curse the author for writing a sentence I wish I had written myself. If you're a fan of pure, simply powerI feel very bad that there is no way to give fractional points, as my rating for Between Lions and Lambs is a actually a 4.3.

First, when I read the first book of any author, established or not, the first thing I look for is mastery of language, and McQueen has that in boatloads. There were more than many occasions when I either 1) paused at the depth and beauty of a sentence or 2) paused to curse the author for writing a sentence I wish I had written myself. If you're a fan of pure, simply powerful language, buy this book.

As far as content, the fallen man of little faith seeking redemption is something near and dear to my heart, but despite what the back cover says, I'm not sure this book can be enjoyed by the irreligious. While the two main characters have the type of man-man brotherhood relationship that is not often explored in literature (a choice McQueen bravely makes and succeeds with), and while both of the men are fully fleshed and believable characters, God is, perhaps (un)ironically, at the core of every scene, and after awhile, seems to be in every paragraph and sentence so that He becomes the overbearing main character. That is not to say the author is preachy - on the contrary, for a book about a preacher and God, the author successfully stays away from preachiness - but unless you're someone who is religious, and perhaps someone who is questioning God and religion, I'm not sure the relationship-with-God thread of the story would appeal to you.

That being said, this is a beautiful book. It was a book I wanted to take my time with, and the dual narrations worked well. In many ways, this is a book of mystery, and while one of the story's "revelations" felt predictable, the others appeared to be surprising and inevitable at the same time. This is a stupendous beginning for this new author, and I look forward to reading his next book as soon as it comes out....more

I have to say when I first decided to read this book, Between Lion and Lambs I wasn’t sure it would be the type of book I would enjoy. I am so glad that I picked it up and read it. The author has given us a fantastic read, and his writing is superb. The characters and the story line were well written, and once I started reading Between Lion and Lambs I couldn’t put it down.

Between Lions and Lambs is a story two men and what a story it is, we meet Ezekiel wBetween Lion & Lambs by N.T. McQueen

I have to say when I first decided to read this book, Between Lion and Lambs I wasn’t sure it would be the type of book I would enjoy. I am so glad that I picked it up and read it. The author has given us a fantastic read, and his writing is superb. The characters and the story line were well written, and once I started reading Between Lion and Lambs I couldn’t put it down.

Between Lions and Lambs is a story two men and what a story it is, we meet Ezekiel who becomes a television evangelist and builds up quite the business, behind the scenes though he is into prostitutes, alcohol, and oh the lies he tells. His best friend Gerald who happens to be his publicist works hard keeping the secrets and lies under the rug so to speak. Meanwhile Gerald has his own worries and is struggling with some of the decision he has made for this friendship. Will his conscience get the better of him?

This novel is about relationships, religion, friendship and trust….it makes you sit back and wonder about TV evangelists and why do we trust certain people? N.T. McQueen’s writing is fantastic, his writing style is easy to read, he tells us this story by looking into the past and present day his technique made me the reader understand the main character’s and some of the choices they have made.

Between Lion & Lambs is a fantastic read you will not be disappointed at all. It really makes you think and I have to say I enjoyed Nate’s writing style and would read anything he writes.

I have rated this novel a 4 star rating and recommend it a great read....more

I was pleased to receive this book as a First-Reads winner. It's probably not a book that I would usually read, but am glad that I did.

Really liked the way the two narrative voices work, and we gradually get a deeper understanding of both Ezekiel and Gerald -their pasts and their motivations, and how this has brought them to the 'breaking point' in their relationship. Interesting for an Aussie to get an insight into Holy Roller culture.

Very well written although at times there were some annoyiI was pleased to receive this book as a First-Reads winner. It's probably not a book that I would usually read, but am glad that I did.

Really liked the way the two narrative voices work, and we gradually get a deeper understanding of both Ezekiel and Gerald -their pasts and their motivations, and how this has brought them to the 'breaking point' in their relationship. Interesting for an Aussie to get an insight into Holy Roller culture.

Very well written although at times there were some annoying 'literal' typos? Sometimes it just seemed to be the wrong word, but this may be a due to a difference in US and Australian English? Not sure.

Overall the language is very beautiful and evocative. Will keep an eye out for future titles by NT McQueen....more

When I first started reading this my first thought was " just another religious book " until about the 3rd page. Then it was "oh yeah he has this down just right ! " and it was hard to put down after that. It is a wonder this book has not been banned just because I feel it tells some of the secrets the " Holier than thou " people do not want everyone to know. This book is like a breath of fresh air compared to others that skip the human parts and only give you the good parts. If it was up to me When I first started reading this my first thought was " just another religious book " until about the 3rd page. Then it was "oh yeah he has this down just right ! " and it was hard to put down after that. It is a wonder this book has not been banned just because I feel it tells some of the secrets the " Holier than thou " people do not want everyone to know. This book is like a breath of fresh air compared to others that skip the human parts and only give you the good parts. If it was up to me this book would be right beside the bible for all to read. And if that sounds sacrilegious so does the people who are supposed to be above reproach but their actions are the opposite of their teaching....more

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N.T. McQueen is the author of the novel, Between Lions and Lambs, The Disciple, and the children's book, Moses Jones and the Case of the Missing Sneaker. He received his MA in Creative Writing from CSU-Sacramento under the direction of Douglas Rice. He has won two Bazzanella Literary Awards and his work has appeared in issues of Fiction Southeast, Transition Magazine, The Kentucky Review, Gold ManN.T. McQueen is the author of the novel, Between Lions and Lambs, The Disciple, and the children's book, Moses Jones and the Case of the Missing Sneaker. He received his MA in Creative Writing from CSU-Sacramento under the direction of Douglas Rice. He has won two Bazzanella Literary Awards and his work has appeared in issues of Fiction Southeast, Transition Magazine, The Kentucky Review, Gold Man Review, Camas: Nature of the West, West Trade Review, and others. He lives in Northern California with his wife and three children and teaches writing at American River College.